1. Facing the nation
Mitch McConnell, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are among the members of Congress who have squared off against angry crowds during this week’s recess, a time when senators and representatives often return to their districts and hold “town hall” events for constituents.
Good luck, Chuck
“I am a person from a Muslim country and I am a Muslim. Who is going to save me here? Who is going to stand behind me?” Zalmay Niazy, an Afghani US military veteran, asked Senator Chuck Grassley to applause.
2. Gitmo to git mo'?
Donald Trump and his national security team are looking for ways to send Guantánamo Bay the first influx of “war on terror” detainees it’s seen since 2008.
Summary
On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly pledged to supersize the complex, vowing to “load it up with some bad dudes”.
3. Mexican standoff
Mexico has said that it will not accept Trump administration immigration proposals without a fight. Trump’s policies could lead to mass deportations of Mexicans and other Latin Americans in the US to Mexico.
Summary
“I want to make clear, in the most emphatic way, that the government of Mexico and the Mexican people do not have to accept measures that one government wants to unilaterally impose on another.
4. Inside man
The cozy relationship between Scott Pruitt, the new administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and fossil fuel interests was highlighted in more than 7,500 records released by the Oklahoma attorney general’s office on Wednesday.
Updated
Summary
The documents show that Pruitt, while Oklahoma attorney general, acted in close concert with oil and gas companies to challenge environmental regulations, even putting complaints by at least one firm on to his own letterhead.
... and another thing
Offered without further comment... pic.twitter.com/OFrNoCeaf3
— Politics1.com (@Politics1com) February 22, 2017
... and one more thing, #nowtrending
Bring me your White, your Rich, your Corporate CEOs yearning for tax loopholes...#RejectedStatueOfLibertySigns
— Antic the Fearless (@antic5) February 22, 2017
